HEALTH REPORT 4-4-14

Patriot Staff

Friday

Apr 4, 2014 at 2:00 AM

Sight Loss Services receives grant

Sight Loss Services, Inc. has received a grant of $4,000 from the Edward Bangs Kelley and Elza Kelley Foundation Inc. to help support the efforts of the Cape-based-organization to better the lives of the visually impaired and blind across Cape Cod. More information at 508-394-3904.

Healthcare Decisions Day

April 16: Pavilion Nursing Center invites the public to a free informational seminar on advance care planning and directives, 3 to 4 p.m. at the Center, 876 Falmouth Road, Hyannis. Special guest speaker is Bill Johnson of WHJ Consulting Services. The Center will also make available information and tools for HopeHealth educational support groups.

HopeHealth support groups

The 2014 support group calendar from Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services includes a variety of programs across the Cape region. These include Young Onset Support; Caregiver Support; CARES (those with memory impairment and their care partners, in separate sessions); Arts & Conversation. Meetings are held monthly at locations across the Cape. For information or for a program book listing all meetings, call 508-775-5656 or visit www.HopeDementia.org

Autism family support group

Cape Abilities offers a networking and support group for families of individuals on the autism spectrum, with meetings held at 939 Route 6A, Unit D, Yarmouth Port. All are invited to share experiences and questions. More information on dates and times at 774-487-2805.

Center has Saturday hours

Community Health Center of Cape Cod Mashpee office, 107 Commercial St., is now open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The pharmacy is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The dental clinic is open on first and third Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. Services are for enrolled patients. Chofcapecod.org

Fontaine to open new unit

Cape Cod Healthcare has announced an expansion and renovation project at Fontaine Medical Center in Harwich. The $1.6 million project, scheduled for spring completion, includes upgrades to existing services and the opening of a new Urgent Care Center. More info at 508-862-7891.

Support Group – domestic or sexual violence

Independence House and the GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project are offering a support group for individuals who identify as male, live on Cape Cod and are survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. Call 800-439-6507 or e-mail Chris at chrism@indhouse.net or Chuck at capeadvocate@gmdvp.org

Grief and loss support groups

Hope Community Care, part of the HopeHealth family of services, offers bereavement support groups in Falmouth, Hyannis and Orleans for those experiencing loss and grief. Hyannis meetings are held at the HopeHealth office at 765 Attucks Lane, and include separate sessions for loss of adult child, parent or spouse. Advance registration required. Call 508-957-0268 (Hyannis, Orleans) or 508-957-0244 (Falmouth), with more information available at www.HopeHealthCo.org

Open Mic phone calls

Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled invites you to join its open mic every Monday through Friday, 1 to 3 p.m. (except holidays). Help build a community of people with disabilities and their families, friends and caregivers in a support system that lets you share stories and obtain needed information. For more information, call CORD at 508-775-8300.

Specialized dental service available

Community Health Center of Cape Cod offers specialized dental services with an exam room specially equipped to service people in wheelchairs. Located at the center’s Mashpee offices at 107 Commercial St., the facility offers a special wheelchair tilting device that allows patients to remain in their chairs rather than transferring to a dental chair.

The staff also has training in caring for patients with physical or learning disabilities. The center is the only dental provider in Massachusetts to offer this service. For information or enrollment, call 508-539-6050.

Pilot project

The Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod has launched the Navigator Pilot Project to improve access to information and the coordination and delivery of home-based long-term services and support for residents of Cape Cod ages 18 and over, regardless of income, who have chronic health conditions and disabilities. The service is free and does not duplicate existing programs and services. Call 508-957-7629.

Life Choice Hospice

• Book Club: discussion of books that offers insights into coping with grief and loss; meets the second Tuesday of each month, 1 to 2 p.m. at Bourne Library.

Cape Cod Healthcare has a service that makes it easier to find a physician. Visitors to the site can find a physician who’s accepting new patients, meet the new physicians listed in the directory or see videos of patients’ experiences with their doctors. Direct access is available at www.physicians.capecodhealth.org, or at the Cape Cod Healthcare website by clicking on “Find a Physician.”

• Ongoing Caregiver Support Group, 1st and 4th Wednesdays at Eastham Council on Aging, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Groups are open to all and free of charge. Pre-registration is required: call Brooks Reinhold, Beacon Hospice coordinator: 508-778-1622, ext. 115.

Mental illness support group

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Cape Cod & the Islands offers support groups for families with a member who has a mental health situation or condition. The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Route 6A, Barnstable Village; and the 1st Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, Main St., Chatham.

NAMI support groups for people with mental illnesses are held at Federated Church, Main St., Orleans, monthly, 2nd and last Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m.; NAMI Cape Cod, 5 Mark Lane, Hyannis, weekly on Thursday, 5:30 to 7 p.m.; and Gus Canty Recreation Center, 790 Main St., Falmouth, weekly on Thursday, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod in Sandwich hosts Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous meetings every Sunday 9:30 to 11 a.m. … Overeaters Anonymous (general public) meets Tuesdays, 5 to 7 p.m. … AA meets Saturdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. … Sober Sisters AA Support Group meets Fridays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. … A support group addressing issues of early onset Alzheimer’s meets the fourth Monday of each month, 4 to 5:30 p.m. … A fibromyalgia support group meets the fourth Thursday of the month, 5 to 6:30 p.m. … The aphasia support group meets the first Wednesday of the month, 10-11:30 a.m. … The MS support group meets the third Sunday of the month, 1 to 3 p.m. … A stroke survivors support group meets the second Wednesday of the month, 1:30 to 3 p.m. … Parkinson’s support group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month, 2 p.m. … CC Spinal Cord Injury Support Group meets 1st Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m. … Hearing screenings are held the second Wednesday of each month by appointment, 508-833-4141. Specialty Rehab: Driver Assessment program: for those whose driving ability has been compromised by illness, injury or normal aging, 508-833-4141. Vibrant Voices: Monthly interactive speech group, Harwich Community Center, 508-240-7203. Vision Rehab Clinic, evaluation and treatment, 2nd & 4th Tues., 508-833-4141.

Call 508-833-4008 for details on these and other programs. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod is at 311 Service Road, East Sandwich.

Hope at Home

Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & the Islands has initiated a new program, “Hope at Home,” which provides one-on-one support to address many of the daily issues experienced by caregivers of loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 508-775-5656 or www.alzcapecod.org.

Parkinson’s speech exercise group

Spaulding speech and language pathologist Lee Lacroix leads a monthly interactive speech group, “Vibrant Voices,” at Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St. The group is designed for people with Parkinson’s disease who have completed a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment program within the last two years. Free screening prior to participation. 508-240-7203.

AA, Al-Anon, Alateen meetings

A listing of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the local area is available at http://www.capecodaa.com/

A list of Al-Anon and Alateen meetings is at www.ma-al-anon-alateen.org. Click on “Find a Meeting” and enter a town or call the South Dennis office of Al-Anon at 508-394-4555.

PFLAG support group

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (PFLAG) meets monthly in two locations to provide support, educate others and advocate for equal treatment. Meetings are the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at First Parish Church, Route 6A, Brewster, and the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, 840 Sandwich Road, East Falmouth.

Lyme Disease support group

Lyme disease support group from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at Cape Cod Covenant Church in Brewster. Call Scott Caseau at 508-957-2535.

Help for moms

The Center for Breastfeeding, 327 Quaker Meeting House Road in East Sandwich, offers classes for moms and children all year long. Free lactation counseling and pump and supplies use are also available. 508-888-8044.

Open Wide for free dental care

The Tri-County Collaborative for Oral Health Excellence’s Open Wide Preschool Dental Disease Prevention Program offers several preventive dental procedures at no cost, along with assistance in finding affordable dental care offices. Call BL Hathaway at 508-255-0009. The local Tri-CCOHE office is at 115 Enterprise Road, Hyannis.

Caregiver support program

The Family Caregiver Support Program at Elder Services of Cape Cod & Islands provides training and assistance for family caregivers. To determine eligibility, call 508-394-4630.

HIV/AIDS testing, counseling

The Cape Cod Free Clinic & Community Health Center offers free, confidential testing for HIV and AIDS at its Falmouth and Mashpee offices. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 508-477-7090.

Independence House hosts support groups

Independence House in Hyannis sponsors a seeking safety support group at the office in Falmouth Hospital on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; a children’s empowerment group on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the office in Hyannis; and a self-esteem focus group Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyannis office 508-771-6507.

Cancer support in Mashpee

Cape Cod Healthcare offers a Living With Cancer education support group Tuesdays at the Mashpee Health Center, 5 Industrial Road. 508-539-6215.

The Kids and Teens Behavioral Health Assessment Center, 460 West Main St. in Hyannis provides families with behavioral health assessments and treatment plans, as well as referrals and information about behavioral health services. 508-790-5903.

Dare to Be Alive

DTBA hosts an education and support group for individuals interested in organ donation, which will meet at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Cape Cod Hospital in the Cape Cod Five room. All are welcome. 508-398-1260.

Brain injury support group

The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts hosts a brain injury support group for survivors, caregivers and families. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at Mashpee Public Library, 64 Steeple St. 888-607-7678 or at www.biama.org.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support

An Alzheimer’s Community Caregivers Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 3 to 5 p.m. at Harbor Point at Centerville, 22 Richardson Road, led by Tamara Peach, Harbor Point’s program director. Free and open to all. RSVP to 508-778-2311.

Free health screenings

The Clinical Research Center of Cape Cod, 131 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, will hold free preventive health screenings for blood pressure and glucose on the second Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 508-375-6360.

Stretch your food budget

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands can assist those who may be having a hard time putting affordable and nutritious meals on the table during these hard times. All can apply for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) – Call SNAP Outreach for more information or to set up an appointment: 508-771-1727 x 164.

Overcoming ostomy problems

The VNA of Cape Cod holds ongoing free ostomy clinics. The clinics will include a one-hour visit with a wound, ostomy and continence nurse. Clinics are held second and fourth Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon at VNA of Cape Cod, 434 Route 134, South Dennis. For an appointment, call 508-957-7476.

Mended Hearts meets at CCH

Members of the Mended Hearts group meet every third Thursday at 4 p.m. at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis to discuss heart disease and share experiences. Those with heart disease and members of their family are welcome. Contact Tim Crane at 508-896-2560 or club president Pat Boris at 508-896-5941, or go to www.capecodmendedhearts.com.

VNA offerings

The Visiting Nurses Association, in conjunction with the Massachusetts chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, offers Young at Heart/PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) at several Cape locations. A low-cost fee and a doctor’s approval are required for participation. For more information on location or registration, or to observe a class, call 1-877-267-7700.

Send us your news

The Health section welcomes news of programs in Barnstable and surrounding towns, as well as achievements and events. Send your news to The Barnstable Patriot, ATT: Health, PO Box 1208, Hyannis MA 02601; or by fax to 508-790-3997, marked HEALTH; or to listings@barnstablepatriot.com